When Scott and Dana Mann first crossed paths at a whitewater kayaking race in Italy, neither

could have predicted that their shared love of adventure would carry them from the rapids of

Europe to the tree-lined streets of Del Ray. Fifteen years of marriage, three children, and

countless adventures later, the Manns have found their perfect balance of family, community

and outdoor spirit right here in Alexandria.

Both Scott and Dana came from athletic beginnings, though their paths were worlds apart.

Dana was born and raised in Bratislava, Slovakia, where she competed as a member of the

Slovak National Whitewater Slalom Team. “I come from a very athletic family,” she said. “My

mom was a national kayaking team member and later became my coach, while my dad

competed in modern pentathlon.” Her brother, Matej Beňuš, continues the family legacy —

recently winning his second Olympic medal in Paris.

Scott’s childhood was a bit more peripatetic. “I moved around a bit when I was a kid,” he said,

“But I consider Vermont where I really grew up.” Both found themselves competing on the

international kayaking circuit, representing their respective countries.

Though they had attended many of the same competitions during their junior years, it wasn’t

until a race in Italy that they officially met. Their friendship quickly deepened as they continued

to race, train, and travel across the globe. “We dated for three years while I finished my

graduate degree in International Relations at Comenius University in Slovakia,” Dana said.

“Scott was working on his master’s in international Affairs at George Washington University. We were both still competing, so we were often together on the water.”

Three years after meeting, they married, and Dana moved to the United States — eventually

earning a spot on the U.S. national team herself. This year, they celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary.

The Manns settled in the D.C. metro area in 2009 and moved to Del Ray in 2015 as they

prepared to welcome their first child. “We were expecting and looking for a home,” Scott

recalled. “Del Ray had everything we wanted — great neighborhoods, walkability, shops, and an

easy commute. It just felt right.”

Today, they’re raising three energetic children — Benjamin (10), William (8), and Ela (5). Each child, unsurprisingly, shares their parents’ love of movement and competition. Benjamin enjoys whitewater kayaking, ski racing, and playing the drums. William splits his time between gymnastics, hockey, and the ukulele. Ela loves swimming, dancing, and recently started gymnastics.

“Scott and I still love working out and finding ways to challenge ourselves,” Dana said. “We

don’t expect our kids to be as competitive as we were, but we want them to have the

opportunity to explore, try things, and find what they love.”

Dana, who previously worked as a linguist for the intelligence community, shifted gears during the pandemic. “I became a realtor in 2020 when COVID hit and we had a new baby,” she said. “Now, I help clients buy and sell homes across Virginia, Maryland, and D.C.”

Scott is a longtime civil servant, serving in the Department of War for the past 11 years.

The Manns’ commitment to community extends beyond work and school. All three children

attend St. Rita Catholic School, where the family has found strong friendships and a welcoming environment. “We love the school, the people, and the sense of community there,” Dana said.

In true Del Ray spirit, Dana has also taken her community-building online. She founded the

Ladies of Del Ray and Warwick Village Facebook group — now nearly 600 members strong — to help neighbors connect. “We’ve had so many fun gatherings over the years,” she said. “From water balloon fights and Trunk or Treat events to casual coffee meetups, it’s really about building friendships and supporting one another.”

For the Manns, Del Ray offers the best of both worlds — city access with small-town charm.

“We love everything about Del Ray,” Scott said. “It’s walkable, full of green spaces and

playgrounds, with a real sense of character. Mount Vernon Avenue feels like the main street of a small town — it’s special.”

As they look ahead, the couple hopes to see even more opportunities for residents to connect outdoors. “I’d love to meet more neighbors and have more community events that bring people outside,” Dana said. “Being active and connecting with others is such a big part of who we are — and Del Ray is the perfect place for that.”